2007-03-08 10:03:44 · 3 answers · asked by Ambegurl 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The decay rate is what determines the half life.
The half life is when the there is only 50% of the original substance left. If it has a fast decay rate it will have a short half life. If it has a slow decay rate it will have a long half life.
2007-03-08 10:10:33 · answer #1 · answered by Zajebe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a logarithmic relationship. Decay rate tells us how fast the isotope decays, and half-life tells us how long it takes for half an arbitrary initial mass of isotope to decay.
2007-03-08 18:09:44 · answer #2 · answered by The Tridentine Avenger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the half-life is one way of stating the decay rate. In fact, it is by far the usual way. It would be very unusual, I think, to state the decay rate in any other way.
2007-03-08 18:09:53 · answer #3 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋